Pickup bed for tractors



Patented Aug. 19, 1947 UNI ED STATES '.ATENT OFFICE 3 Claims. l

invention relates to improvements in pickup beds and refers more particularly to removable pickup bed attachments for tractors. The device is removabiy attachable to conventional tractors whereby the tr usable for a variety of hauling jobs. Also the pickup bed is a convenient receptacle for weights when recuired at the rear of the tractor toobtain traction or to counterbalance loads applied ahead of the front axle as, for instance, that incurred when operating a sweep rake `and stacker, a utility fork, excavator shovel or scoop, a loader or the like.

Tractors are usually used as a source of power for pulling plows, threshing machines, trailers and other machinery and no provision for a truck bed or pickup bed is made on the tractor itself,

An important object of this invention is to provide a pickup bed attachment for tractors.

A further object of this invention is to provide a pickup bed which is readily mounted on removed from a tractor.

A further object is to provide a pickup bed having a simple rugged construction.

Other and further objects of this invention will appear from the following description.

in the accompanying drawings which form a part of the instant specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views,

Fig. l is a diagrammatic side elevation of the rear portion of a tractor equipped with a pickup bed embodying this invention,

2 is an enlarged top plan of the pickup bed with parts broken away, and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged front end View of the pickup bed.

Referring to the drawings, particularly Fig. 1, the numeral lil represents a diagrammatic showing oi the rear portion of a tractor on which the pickup bed is mounted. For purposes of illustration a Ford tractor is shown but it is to be understood that the pickup bed may be mounted on any tractor having tension links and a transverse drawbar. The tension links l l are pivoted at one end to the chassis of the tractor. Supported between the free ends of the links is a drawbar or cross'oar E2. Intermediate the ends of links Il are attached linkage i3 connected to a hydraulic lift, usually conventional equipment on tractors.

The pickup bed comprises a box-like receptacle iii equipped with an endgate lita. Brackets l5 depend from the front corners of the receptacle ifi. The extremities of the brackets are turned ctors are converted into units outwardly to form flanges l5a. The brackets are attached to a crossbar orsupport It at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the receptacle as shown in Fig. 3. This conforms the brackets with the tension links .so the outside faces of the brackets t-snuglyagainst the .inner faces of the links when the Vreceptacle is mounted thereon. The extremities of crossbar I6 extend slightly beyond `the brackets i5 forming ilanges overlapping the upper edges of the links thus causing the links to be wedged between the flanges above and below the brackets. Diagonal supports I1 give additional support to the ears. A longitudinal drawbar mounted beneath receptacle I4 has a bracket la near its front end. The bracket ts under drawbar l2 and is held rigidly in position by a pin I9 which is inserted in registering holes in the bottom of the bed, the longitudinal drawbar IS, transverse drawbar l2 and the bracket I'Sa. lThe lower end of the pin is drilled to receive a cotter pin to prevent displacement. The rear end of drawbar i8 is offset slightly below the bottom of receptacle I4 and has an aperture |81) to which may be fastened vehicles or equipment to be drawn by the tractor.

It is believed that the operation of the device is obvious from the foregoing description. Receptacle lli is slid forwardly on the tension links l i until brackets l5 engage the sides of the tension links and bracket 13a ts under drawbar I2. ln this position pin i9 is dropped into the registering holes in the drawbars and bracket and a cotter pin or nut aflixed to the end of the pin. The receptacle or pickup bed is thus rigidly held upon the tension links and crossbar and may be used for innumerable and varied light hauling jobs. In addition the pickup bed forms a receptacle for weights placed therein when it becomes necessary to obtain traction for the rear wheels or to offset loads applied ahead of the front axle.

It will be seen that the objects of this invention have been accomplished. There has been provided a pickup bed readily mounted upon or removed from a tractor having tension links and a transverse drawbar. The arrangement is such that the pickup bed may be emptied by opening the endgate and dropping the tension links to their lowest position.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is Within the scope of the claims.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention Without departing from the scope thereof it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A pickup bed for a tractor equipped with a tension link drawbar assembly, comprising a boxlike receptacle, brackets mounted beneath the receptacle engageable with the tension links, and means for removably securing said receptacle to said drawbar, said means comprisingr a longitudinal member beneath the receptacle, a bracket formed at one end thereof adapted to engage the tractor dravvbar, said drawbar, longitudinal member, bracket and receptacle having registering holes, and a pin insertable in said holes to hold the assembly in position.

2. A pickup bed for a tractor equipped with a tension link dravvbar assembly comprising a boxlike receptacle, means for removably securing said receptacle to said drawbar so that said receptacle is disposed approximately equally on either side of said drawbar, and bracket means on one end of said receptacle engageable with the tension links to prevent rotation of said receptacle about said drawbar.

3. A pickup bed for a tractor equipped with a horizontal drawbar connected to the tractor by two substantially horizontal tension links, comprising a box-like receptacle resting upon said drawbar so that said receptacle is disposed approximately equally on either side of said drawbar, a pin passing through registering holes in said receptacle and said drawbar to prevent said receptacle from shifting with respect to said drawbar, and brackets on said receptacle to secure one end thereof to said tension links.

JOHN I. MICHAELS.

REFERENCES SITED The following references are of record in the le or this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Baldwin lMay 23, 1944 

